Math Problem Steps
See every step of the solution — algebra, calculus, and more, with plain-English explanations. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
What it does
Full step-by-step solutions
Every algebraic manipulation, rule application, and simplification is shown — not just the final answer.
Three detail levels
Compact (key steps only), Standard (steps with explanations), Learner (everything, including intuition and common mistakes to avoid).
Algebra coverage
Linear equations, quadratic equations (factoring, quadratic formula, completing the square), simplification, and expansion.
Calculus coverage
Derivatives using all standard rules (power, product, quotient, chain, trig, exp, ln) and basic indefinite integrals.
Verified answers
Every solution is numerically verified. If verification fails, a clear warning is shown rather than silently displaying a wrong answer.
Multiple methods
For quadratics, choose between factoring, the quadratic formula, or completing the square — the tool picks the cleanest method, or you choose.
Shareable problems
Share any solved problem via a URL that encodes the input and settings — no server involved.
100% private
All computation runs in your browser. No problem input is ever sent to any server.
How to use Math Problem Steps
- 1Type your math problem
Enter equations (2x + 7 = 15), derivatives (d/dx (x^3 * sin(x))), or integrals (integral of x^2 dx). Use ^ for exponents.
- 2Press Solve Step by Step
The tool detects the problem type automatically and applies the appropriate solving method.
- 3Read through the steps
Each step is shown with a plain-English explanation. Switch between Compact, Standard, and Learner modes to control verbosity.
- 4Check the verified answer
The final answer is shown with a verification badge when it has been checked by substituting back into the original problem.
When to use this
High school algebra students
Solve x² - 5x + 6 = 0 by factoring, see the zero-product property step, and verify both roots.
Calculus I students
Differentiate x³·sin(x) and see exactly when to apply the product rule vs. chain rule.
Parents helping with homework
Refresh your memory on completing the square or the quotient rule with Learner mode explanations.
Teachers and tutors
Generate worked examples quickly; switch between methods to show students different approaches to the same problem.
Technical details
| Math engine | math.js — client-side symbolic math library |
| Rendering | KaTeX — fast, accurate LaTeX rendering |
| Step generation | Custom rule-based step tracer (not AI) |
| Verification | Numerical back-substitution and finite-difference derivative check |
| State persistence | Browser localStorage (last 20 problems) |
| URL sharing | LZ-string compressed state in URL query param |
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of math problems can this tool solve?
- Algebra: linear equations, quadratic equations (three methods), simplification, expansion. Calculus: derivatives (power, product, quotient, chain rules; sin, cos, tan, exp, ln, sqrt) and basic indefinite integrals (power rule, sin, cos, e^x). Number theory: GCD and LCM using the Euclidean algorithm.
How do I enter exponents and multiplication?
- Use ^ for exponents (x^2 for x²) and * for multiplication (2*x or just 2x — both work). Parentheses work as expected: (x+1)^2, sin(x^2).
How do I enter a derivative?
- Type d/dx (expression) — for example: d/dx (x^3 * sin(x)), d/dx (ln(x^2+1)), d/dx (e^(2x)). The variable and expression are detected automatically.
How do I enter an integral?
- Type "integral of [expression] dx" — for example: integral of x^2 dx, integral of cos(x) dx, integral of 3x^2 + 2x dx.
Is the math correct?
- Every solution is verified numerically. For equations, the solution is substituted back to confirm both sides are equal. For derivatives, the result is checked against the numerical derivative at a test point. A checkmark appears when verified; a warning appears if verification fails.
What is the "Learner" detail level?
- Learner mode shows every step — including sub-steps for inner derivatives, the full chain rule decomposition, and detailed explanations of each rule with common mistakes. Use it when you're actually learning a technique. Compact mode shows just the major moves for a quick review.
Is my problem data sent to a server?
- No. All parsing, computation, and step generation runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is ever sent to a server. No account is needed.
How does the share link work?
- The Share button generates a URL that encodes your input and settings using LZ-string compression. The URL is self-contained — no server stores anything. Send it to a friend or paste it into a chat.